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Star-Crossed Lovers

Is it still November? I had a vague notion Thanksgiving was around the corner, but I’m now a little confused — this morning I found Christmas trees at the grocery store and a Valentine’s Day-themed puzzle in the NYT Magazine.

Today’s crossword was pretty easy, especially if you’re a movie (or literature) buff. Constructor Timothy Polin placed five ill-fated couples throughout the grid, managing to cross them with the actors who played the roles. So LARA AND YURI (“Doctor Zhivago,” 3 Down), crossed with JULIE (“Christie who played half of 3-Down,” 1 Down) and OMAR (“Sharif who played half of 3-Down,” 57 Across).

So Long Hostess Dept.: “Coffee Cakes maker” is DRAKE’S (21 Down), but not for long. Drake’s is a division of Hostess, which as you probably heard is shutting down. The news has led to a run on treats like Twinkies, which in some cases are being sold to the highest bidder. Here in the Philly area, people grew up on the local delicacies known as TastyKakes. But I grew up in L.A. with Hostess Cupcakes or Ding Dongs in my lunch bag. Very sad.

Raised Eyebrows Dept.: Could it really be a coincidence that G-SPOT (“Subject of a 1982 best seller on sexuality,” 99 Down) crosses with TITS (“Small songbirds,” 116 Across)? Granted, TITS in this case are short for titmouses (titmice?), but still. Also in this category — if you read it wrong (as I did at first) — is DOC OCK, which is short for “Doctor Octopus” (“Tentacled ‘Spider-Man’ meanie,” 55 Down).

Name Dropping Dept.: “Novelist who translated ‘Alice in Wonderland’ into Russian” is NABOKOV (50 Down). “Anonymous female in a court case” is JANE ROE (1 Down), as in Roe v. Wade. (Updated from my original post, which mistakenly had JANE DOE as the answer – I failed to cross-check. Thanks to reader Liz for pointing it out!)

On Ice Dept.: It’s day 64 of the NHL lockout, which means the minor-league AHL (“Calder Cup org.,” 95 Down) is about the only hockey around — except for college games.

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Solving the Sunday NYT crossword puzzle so you don't have to.

Kathy Matheson has been solving crossword puzzles since junior high, when a friend intent on winning the school's magazine drive gave her a subscription to Games Magazine as a birthday present. (The editor of Games back then? Will Shortz.) Today she lives in her adopted hometown of Philadelphia. Alter ego of @kmatheson

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